Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Stamford volunteer firefighter recruit Jose Mollinedo peers outside as he trains in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Stamford volunteer firefighter recruit Jose Mollinedo peers outside as he trains in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations.

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6,

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Vitaliy Bilinskyy, a volunteer firefighter recruit from Stamford, in center pulling hose, trains with his fellow firefighters in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Vitaliy Bilinskyy, a volunteer firefighter recruit from Stamford, in center pulling hose, trains with his fellow firefighters in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Robert Morris, Stamford's Assistant Chief of Volunteer Serices, speaks to volunteer firefighter recruits before they begin the evening's training in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Robert Morris, Stamford's Assistant Chief of Volunteer Serices, speaks to volunteer firefighter recruits before they begin the evening's training in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter Frank Gaudiano suits up as he and other volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter Frank Gaudiano suits up as he and other volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind ... more

Volunteer firefighter Frank Gaudiano takes a water break as he and other volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside at the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter Frank Gaudiano takes a water break as he and other volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside at the fire training ... more

Robert Morris, Stamford's Assistant Chief of Volunteer Serices, speaks to volunteer firefighter recruits before they begin the evening's training in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Robert Morris, Stamford's Assistant Chief of Volunteer Serices, speaks to volunteer firefighter recruits before they begin the evening's training in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of ... more

A road flare placed inside a barrell simulates fire, as volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

A road flare placed inside a barrell simulates fire, as volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford advance through simulated smoke to locate a "victim," as they train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford advance through simulated smoke to locate a "victim," as they train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, 2015. Some of the drills included hose line advancement practice into a simulated fire as well as search and rescue operations. less

Volunteer firefighter recruits from Stamford train in a variety of firefighting techniques inside and outside of the fire training facility behind the Darien Town Yard in Darien, Conn., on Thursday Aug. 6, ... more

Ten men and one woman in bunker gear crouched before a sealed door to a two-story brick building at the Darien Refuse and Recycling Center. Tendrils of smoke crept between ceiling tiles and out of windowsills. An order rang out to “close that nozzle,” and 25-year-old Kazi Alauddin obliged, shutting off the business end of a fire hose. Seconds later, the line swelled with pressurized water.

Another of the 11 recruits doffed a glove to give the door a cursory pat, checking for heat. Satisfied, the crew moved in four teams - one hose team and one rescue team per floor - crawling into the lightless interior of the building.

The recruits comprise the first unified class of the Stamford Volunteer Firefighter Association, a nonprofit network that connects the Belltown, Glenbrook, Long Ridge and Springdale volunteer houses. The Turn of River volunteer department did not join the association.

“That’s never been done before in the history of the Stamford fire service,” said Pete Cogliano, a Belltown firefighter and member of the association’s executive board. “The purpose is to get people in a uniform fashion, standardized fashion, train them the same way.”

The association hopes to recruit up to 75 new volunteers in its first year. They can immediately begin work out of the volunteer firehouses, though they cannot gear up and work inside burning buildings.

Assistant Chief Robert Morris, who oversees the volunteer companies and liaises with the professional department, stressed the diversity of the new class.

Scott Bassett, 19, has been training for eight months, working out of the Glenbrook firehouse.

“I always wanted to be a fireman, so this is one step closer,” said Bassett, who has a day job at a Ford dealership.

Alauddin, who used to be an accountant and is now a property manager, said he “wanted to give back to the community, give people a second chance.”

Alauddin works with another recuit, 18-year-old Michael Maignan, out of Belltown. Maignan is in school to become a diesel mechanic.

Morris said that for many, volunteer firefighting is a stepping stone to a career.

“That’s the golden ring for these guys, if they can land a job in a career department,” he said. And, even if they leave Stamford to fight fires full-time, “we consider that as a success.”

Morris pointed out that hopeful career firefighters get three bonus points on their application to the paid Stamford Fire Department if they are volunteers in good status with at least a year of experience - on top of five more points if they are Stamford residents.

“This is where the value’s added, big-time,” Morris said. “Eight of the 16 people we just hired to the Stamford career department, eight of them are Stamford volunteer members, and one of them, at least one of them, came directly out of this class.”

After the water and rescue teams emerged from the practice building - which was filled with artificial smoke, rather than real flames and fumes - they switched tasks, passing hoses and tools and diving back in to retrieve a dummy “victim.”

If and when the recruits finish their local training, they will seek state Firefighter One certification, at which point they can begin working the interiors of fires.

Before they suited up, Morris offered them words of encouragement: “All of this is getting ready for that moment.”